Combination can punch and cap lifter



May24, 193 8. w. H. cAsT NER 7 2,118,159

COMBINATION CAN'PUNGH AND Q PLIFTER Filed Sept. 14, 1936 By 0m I .Ajtarney that m 24, 193s communion can PUNCH am) can Lm'ras William H. Costner, Spokane, Wash.

Application September 14, i936, Serial No. 1%,583

1 Claim.

My present invention relates to an improved combination can punch and cap lifter which combination affords in one instrument a handy kitchen tool that may be readily available for piercing condensed milk or cream cans, or for venting cans of any kind. The instrument is designed and constructed in a manner thatis especially adaptable for condensed milk or cream containers in which it is usual to vent on one side of the container and to pierce several holes on the other side through which the cream may be poured as desired.

People in many walks of life use, sometimes by preference, condensed milk for table use. Likewise housewives invariably use condensed milk or condensed cream in the preparation of various foods and an instrument that will quickly, easily,

and safely provide the necessary holes in the can tor venting purposes and for pouring purposes will meet a long felt want.

In the instrument of my invention I have provided such a tool with means whereby it may be readily used and which has in combination therewith a cap lifter for lifting the usual crown caps from bottles-or containers of various liquids.

The invention involves certain novel features of construction and arrangement that permit the formation of the combination tools in one instruwent without the addition of material or without waste of material by the simple procedure of stamping and forming.

In carrying out my invention a blank metal member properly stamped may be so folded, distorted, and bent as to form the tool in question at little expense and provide considerable efliciency for the intended purpose for which it has been invented.

In the accompanying drawing I have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of my invention wherein the parts are com bined and arranged according to one mode I have thus far devised for the practical application of the principles of my invention, but it will be understood that changes and alterations may be made in the exemplified structures, within the scope of my claim, without departing from the principles of the, invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my combination can punch and cap lifter,

Figure 2 is a view showing the lifter applied to the usual type bottle cap, with fulcrum means to insure ready lifting of the cap,

Figure 3 indicates the punch members in use on a can or container when it is desired to provide two holes for pouring purposes, and

Figure 4 shows the manner of use of the can punch for venting the container and whereby but one hole is pierced into the lid or top end of the can.

In order that the general arrangement, relation of parts, and the utility of parts may readily be understood I have indicated a typical example of the manner of use of the instrument of my invention on a crown top for bottles in which pressure upon the head or handle end of the tool will cause the lifting element in combination withthe action of the fulcrum to remove'the cap in a ready manner.

I have also indicated in subsequent views the position and placement of the tool for piercing the top ends of cans or containers. The blank out of which the tool is formed consists mainly of a shank iii having a circular and enlarged head formed on one end as ii which is folded as at I! to center the disk it upon the shank and at right angles thereto. This disk or head serves as a means for striking with the fist or palm of the hand a sumcient blow to drive the point or points i3 at the opposite end of the shank into the can or container. The twopoints i3 are formed at the endof the shank along the outer edges thereof forming spaced prongs comparatively sharp at their extreme end. Between the two prongs in the original blank a tongue would normally be formed and this tongue I utilize by bending at right angles as M and again bending at approximately right angles as ii to form one part of my cap lifter. The bend it further insures against. driving the prongs or points too deeply into the can or making too large a hole therein in that it serves as a stop member and as well becomes a shank member for the cap lifter.

In association with the lifter member thus formed and at a point back from the litter and in such'spacing as to contact near the back side of a bottle cap I form a fulcrum bend I. in the shank ill with which fulcrum the leverage applied at the end of the handle will insure removal of the cap in a ready manner.

From the above description and inspection of the drawing it will be readily seen'that I have devised in a one piece member a combination tool having the desirable properties specified-a tool iii lateral fulcrum, a. lateral tongue struck from of the shank.

WILLIAM 'H. CAS'INER. 

